91999E1582

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1582/99

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Greening the processing of fish

Will the Commission consider providing financial incentives to fish processors in order to encourage them to install plant for the utilisation of fish waste rather than encouraging industrial fishing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1999)

Contrary to what the Honourable Member's question appears to imply, the Commission does not encourage industrial fishing (meaning fishing intended for purposes other than human consumption).

The current legal basis for financial incentives to the processing industry is Council Regulation (EC) 2468/98 of 3 November 1998 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products(1). In Annex II.2.4 of that Regulation it is explicitly stipulated that investments shall not be eligible for assistance where they concern fishery and aquaculture products intended to be used and processed for purposes other than human consumption, with the exception of investments exclusively for the handling, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture product wastes. The Commission has proposed that this clause be carried forward to the next legal basis (covering the 2000-2006 programming period of the Structural Funds).

(1) OJ L 312, 20.11.1998.